Zoe Ball is the new presenter of BBC Radio 2's 'Breakfast Show'.

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball

The 47-year-old television personality has become the first woman to front the popular early-morning show on the airwaves after Chris Evans - who helmed the segment for eight years - stepped down as its host at the beginning of last month.

Speaking in a statement, she said: "To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and privilege. Believe me, I'm not underestimating the enormity of the task ahead, to follow not one but two of my broadcasting idols, into such a well-loved show is somewhat daunting.

"I hope, in the same way that Chris made this show his own after taking over from the wonderful Sir Terry Wogan, that with a top team alongside me, I can bring the fabulous Radio 2 audience a show they want to wake up to."

Zoe joined Chris on the show on Wednesday (03.10.18) morning and admitted that she had known that she was taking over from him for "weeks".

She explained: "This is bonkers. I am a crazy mix of elation and wanting to burst into tears but thrilled. If we go back to mic drop moment of you saying you were going [...] I didn't expect to get the call but getting a call was an amazing thing."

Although she was over the moon to get the call from Radio 2 bosses, Zoe has revealed it was actually her 17-year-old son Woody, whom she has with her ex-husband Fatboy Slim, who encouraged her to agree to the presenting gig.

The blonde beauty also presents 'Strictly Come Dancing' spin-off show 'It Takes Two' and is really hoping that she's able to carry on, despite her new job.

She said: "That's my other favourite job. I'm really hoping I'll be able to do both."

Zoe is certainly no stranger to the airwaves as she first dipped her toe in the industry back in 1997 when she became the first female DJ to present BBC Radio 1 'Breakfast Show' alongside Kevin Greening before leaving in 2000.

However, her departure was only short lived as she returned to radio in 2002 as a presenter at XFM before landing her own weekend show from 2009 until 2012.

Chris announced he was leaving Radio 2 at the beginning of September - just before the birth of his newborn twins - in order to climb a new "mountain."

He said at the time: "I'm leaving Radio 2 and since I decided this, which has been a conversation I have been having with my nearest and dearest since last year, a few weeks ago I made my mind up for sure.

"During that conversation it was pointed out that I had been here for 13 years and that's a long time and I've been on the breakfast show for eight years which is also a long time. A brilliant time, a great time and I've loved every single minute of it. Some of us are mountain climbers and if you get to the top of your favourite mountain and you stay there, you're just an observer.

"And I've got to keep climbing so I'm going to go and go again and start up on a brand new adventure. And I've loved it here, every second and I don't want this to be it. I'm 52, it's brilliant, it's never been more current."

Zoe will take over Radio 2's 'Breakfast Show' in January.

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